Masked thieves steal $2m worth of diamonds

Los Angeles police said on Friday they were looking for a group of masked
thieves who stole an estimated $2 million (£1.2m) in diamonds in a backpack
from a man whose car they intentionally struck.

12:45AM BST 20 Aug 2011

The victim told detectives he had left a friend's home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of North Hollywood on Thursday night when his car was hit from behind, Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Richard French said.

According to the man, who was not identified by authorities, another car then blocked his and five or six men jumped out, smashing the driver's side window and trying to grab the backpack, French said.

The victim told police that he struggled with the men, who were wearing dark clothes and ski masks, before losing the backpack when he was struck in the face and head, French said.

French said it was not yet clear why the man was driving around late at night with $2 million in diamonds in a backpack.